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The North Carolina Coastal Federation is wrapping up the 11th year of the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project. Along the northeastern and central coast, 40 commercial watermen and women collectively spent over 100 working days on the water throughout January retrieving lost crab pots from the sounds.

An additional part of the crab pot retrieval will take place in Marine Patrol District 1 in the northeast region beginning on February 10. Whole pots, in good condition that are located and removed from the Albemarle and Pamlico Sound region will be available for the rightful property owners to reclaim. This includes crab pots retrieved from the Virginia state line, Manteo to Swan Quarter, and from the Outer Banks to Ocracoke that are in good enough condition to be reused. Only pots within compliance, including an identifiable buoy recovered from the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound area can be reclaimed.

Those interested in reclaiming ownership of any of the gear recovered from the northeast coast should call Sara Hallas-Hemilright, the federation’s coastal education and outreach director, to set up an appointment for pick up on weekdays from February 10 to February 24, by calling 252-473-1607.

“A valuable part of this project is having the opportunity to return some of the gear to the fishers. With the value of recycling the gear being only a few cents per pound and the cost of a new crab pot rising to over $50, it just makes sense,” said Hallas-Hemilright.

“Proper identification will be required to reclaim any gear. Unclaimed gear will be recycled to the best extent possible. This project is part of the Federation’s goal to ensure the North Carolina coast is free of marine debris,” stated a Coastal Federation news release.

For more information on the progress of the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project over the past years, go to nccoast.org/marine-debris/crabpotproject.

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